Raw: Dramatic Team NZ launch incident

3:41 PM Tuesday Mar 19, 2013

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Team New Zealand have damaged their wingsail - a hi-tech and expensive piece of machinery - in a dramatic launch incident in the Viaduct this afternoon.
The incident occurred as the team were preparing to fit their wingsail to the platform of AC72 catamaran in gusty conditions. The 40m wing-sail needs to lifted into place by a crane - an extremely fraught process particularly when the wind picks up.
It is believed the team lost control of the sail in the hoisting process, and the wing clipped the side of the main building of Emirates Team New Zealand's base.
A spokesperson for Team New Zealand was not immediately available, but at this stage it is understood the damage is relatively minor.